[A certain monk said to the Buddha:] "It would be well for me, Lord, if the Blessed One would teach me briefly a doctrine so that having heard it I might dwell alone, in seclusion, unwearied, ardent and resolute."

"Well then, monk, you should purify the rudiments of skill. And what are the rudiments of skill?

"In this, monk, you must dwell restrained according to the restraint of the Obligations,[1] having perfected the scope of your practice,[2] aware of danger in the slightest faults, undertaking the precepts and training yourself in them.[3]

"Having done this, then, monk, with morality[4] as your support, established in morality, you must practice the four foundations of mindfulness. Which four?

"Then, monk, when, with morality as your support, established in morality, you have cultivated the four foundations of mindfulness, then you will obtain by night and by day that hoped-for increase in skilled states, which will not decline."

[Delighted, the monk practiced as instructed and, in due course, became an Arahant.]

Notes

1. Paa.timokkha, the monastic code of conduct, now enshrined in the 227 rules which are recited fortnightly.

2. Acaara-gocara-sampanno, i.e., "having perfected the training up to the stage you have reached."